Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-01
THE COMMERCE. BILL.
The General Opinion That 1t viii
Ruin Great Many Railways and
Many Branches of Industry.
Great Railway Systems will COnsoIi-
date TO the RuinatiOn Of the Short
Competing Lines.
The Baltimore and Ohio Deal Looked
Upon as the First Outcome OF tho
Interstate BIZ.
THE SENTIMENT IN NEW YORK.

NEW YORK, March Pin regard to
the interstate commerce bill, the Herald
this morning publishes the following:
The main questions on the street are,
CIVIL the operation Of the bill affect bust
ness?" "WilI the products of any sections
of the country be barred cut of any other
sections?" "Will the bill result in great
railway consolidstions?' Several inter
views follow on the question, what will
the Interstate commerce bill dO?" Says
railroad commissioner: "AmOng other
things, it will ruin q great many railways,
many branches Of industry, and many
manufacturers who have thrlved on com
peting rates"
"The bill is not beneficial then2"
at would be if properly constructed.
Some sections of it are admirable, but
the greater portion OF the bill is such as
you might expect from men ignorant Of
what they are doing. They are impraCti
cable, impossible, deplorab,e seCtions.n
"What do you think of the claim now
made that the bill was originated and en-
glneered by the railroads, which gave 1t
Just enough opposition 10 prevent its de-
feat?''
"The railway men wanted such 8 bill,
but not in its present form"
"What is your opinion of its effect on
business?"
Chat it will either drive the producers
of the far west to the wall or TO slow eX
port via the lakes. I think through lines
will thrive on it, as they can make rates
to the detriment Of their local traffic with
out material injury to themselves, and to
the ruination OF shorter competitors"
"Will it benefit the express Cumpanies?"
"Certainly, if it is true that they are
not affected by it."
The opinion on the street is that sew
erGl great systems of railways will con-
solidate AID make such tariffs as will
crush all lesser lines. 1t is said that the
Pennsylvania and St. Pau! systems, prsct!-
Cally in alliance now, will consolidate and
these will consolidate with the Missouri
Pacific, giving them 8 continental line. 1t
lis rumOred that the Vanderbilt system
will also be put under one management.
It is now known chat the Baltimore and
Ohio deal is the first outcome of the inter-
state bill and that the near future will see
vast systems consolidated.
The general opinion which the st.
Louis Express companies have arrived at
is that they are not subject to the inter
state commerce bill because they aye not
common carriers, but forwarders. Ex-
Senator Plat, President of the United
States Express Company, says: ave
are evidently not affected by the
bill and expect to do future
of live stock and grain at rates
lower than the freight lines can handle
it,
Mr.. John Hoey of the Adams Express
Company says: owe are against the sub
iact, that is we don't know; we have de-
cided that the express companies are eX-
empt and can 90 on doing business at the
old stand We don't know what the bill
is about, we don't know any one who
does. We never expect to know, -
we don't believe any one will ever
know. We are waiting the spectacle
of the future meeting of the commission
OF men who know nothing about railway
business, and will look forward to their
resolving on the subject, not with
pleasant smile"
1t is understood that the various eX-
changes a1d shippers of New York are
preparing for q general war against the
execution of the bill, and loud protests
are being made.
THE COMMISSIONS SIGNED.
WASHINGTON, Marcn 24.-The Presi-
dent to-day signed the commissions OF
the interstate commerce commissioners,
but they will be held at the White House
and delivered TO the new appointees upon
their arrival. Information was received
to-day that Judge Cooley cannot reach
Washington until the close Of next week
II is decided to make no effort to get the
commissioners together before that time
as other members also have private af
fairs TO wind up. When the commission
assemblies its first action viii be to organ
ize and then Immediately begin official
consideration of the Interpretation which
shall be given the most impO taut pro-
visions of the law. Candidates for the
position of secretary are numerous. Each
commissioner seems likely to have ia
vorite for the position.